Oct 28 (LB) Former administrative director, National Savings Bank (NSB) Sumanadasa Abeygunasekera says that he would stand before the law for any alleged corruption, if such corruption has taken place, during the tenure of former NSB chairman Pradeep Kariyawasam. He said that the former NSB chairman had allegedly purchased shares from The Finance Company (TFC) according to his wishes. Abeygunasekera further said that having opposed this transaction, he had more..

Oct 28 (BBC) Gangs fight, tumble from scaffolding, swing across the stage acrobatically; youths in drag enact a Sinhala-language mini-farce, to roars of laughter. A young gay man is hanged upside down by his legs and commits suicide by drinking poison, leaving the audience horrified. There is a constant musical backdrop of choruses and sophisticated dancing. The show is so physical that some actors have suffered injuries. more..

Oct 28 (Island) President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday opened the Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort � a four-star luxury property situated amidst innate history and mystique greenness coupled with traveler comforts. Off the beaten track, yet conveniently accessed is this holiday resort at Thanamalwila Road, Uda Walawe, which offers comfort unequaled in that setting with novelty and convenient access to national parks. That alone should attract urban dwellers to tranquil more..

Oct 28 (Island) The Ceylon Mercantile, Industrial & General Workers� Union (CMU) donated half a million rupees to The Federation of University Teachers� Associations (FUTA) on 3rd October, in support of the general strike of its affiliated unions in the fourteen State-funded universities in this country. The CMU donation received publicity and some comment in the media, after the FUTA President had received it at a media conference held at the CMU headquarters that day. more..

Oct 28 (Hindu) An affidavit by a Switzerland-based coordinator on behalf the outlawed LTTE before a tribunal sought the lifting of the ban on the outfit. The tribunal was constituted under the Unlawful Activities Act, 1967, to examine the validity of the proscription. Chennai-based lawyer appeared on behalf of B. Sivanesan, LTTE Coordinator, Switzerland, and presented his arguments against the continuance of the ban. more..

Oct 28 (SL) The diplomatic community in Sri Lanka has sought a meeting with former Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan (Pillayan) to discuss issues relating to the 13th Amendment. A meeting had been sought with Pillayan last week but it failed to materialise as Chandrakanthan was in the East and not in Colombo. However it is understood that Pillayan may travel to Colombo later this week and schedule the meetings with the diplomats to give more..

Oct 28 (CT) A Pradeshiya Sabha member of the UPFA was arrested by the Anuradhapura Archaeological Police Unit, for putting up two buildings within an archaeological site in Periyakulam, in the Anuradhapura District, on a directive from the DIG, Anuradhapura. The Department of Archaeology had brought to the notice of the police the constructions put up by the PS member. The suspect, who was also the former Deputy Chairman of the Anuradhapura more..

Oct 28 (SL) Several countries have submitted advance questions to Sri Lanka on human rights issues and the Northern Provincial Council elections, ahead of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on Sri Lanka to be held in Geneva on Thursday. The United States, Britain, Canada, Spain, Denmark, Mexico, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands are among the countries which have submitted questions to Sri Lanka. Meanwhile more..

Oct 28 (LB) Citizens across nine districts, organized in the Active Citizenship for Development Network (ACDN) have submitted proposals to His Excellency, the President for inclusion in the Govt of Sri Lanka�s 2013 Budget. Their recommendations cover four sectors of particular concern to these citizens groups and their larger community, that is, agriculture; fisheries; estates; and state education. The problems faced by these groups range from more..

Oct 28 (SO) With sudden changes in weather patterns during the inter-monsoon season, long-term warnings on natural disasters cannot be issued, authorities say. �The intensity of rain largely varies in this climate. So it is difficult to give a long-term prediction,� said Head of Landslide Studies and Services Division of the NBRO R.M.S. Bandara. Warnings on natural hazards will be issued by the authorities, taking into consideration the more..

Oct 28 (LBO) Sri Lanka's revenue authority is holding a 'national tax week' where the public can interact with their staff in the first week of November in a bid to get more people to pay tax without fear. "We want to stop the fear and uncertainty (biya har saker) in the minds of the public about paying tax," commissioner general of Inland Revenue Department Mallika Samarasekera told reporters. "We want to give the message that they more..

Oct 28 (CT) Amnesty International India (AII) has appealed to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to influence Sri Lanka to protect the rights of its citizens and ensure that those guilty of human rights abuses are held accountable. AII in a letter signed by 50,000 Indian citizens on Friday made a six-point recommendation to Dr. Singh urging the Indian Govt, mentioning that as Sri Lanka is expected to report its progress on human rights issues to the UNHRC as part of the UPR more..

Oct 28 (SL) The Police say the warrant issued on Kumaran Pathmanathan (KP) by INTERPOL can only be withdrawn by India and not Sri Lanka. Police Spokesman SSP Priyashantha Jayakody told The Sunday Leader that there is no police investigation on KP. He noted that the charges against the former LTTE chief arms procurer were filed in India and not Sri Lanka. �We cannot ask INTERPOL to remove the warrant on KP. That can be done only by India,� he said. UNP MP Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena more..

Oct 28 (LB) The US State Department two weeks ago, in writing, warned the Sri Lankan govt to completely stop all dealings with Iran. The Sapugaskanda oil refinery was closed on Friday with no crude to refine. The US sanction imposed on Iran has already tipped the govt to spend an additional sum of US$ 1.2 billion to import crude and refined oil into the country from other sources. A member of the Board of Directors more..

Oct 28 (Island) For the first time in Sri Lanka, LankaTiles, the country�s leading manufacturer in wall and floor tiles has implemented digital ink infused technology in several of their collections. The process, which was put into service in February 2012, operates through two state-of-the-art Italian machines from Siti B&T (Keramagic) and TechnoFerrari. Following the success of digitally-printed tiles in domestic and international more..

Oct 28 (SO) With plans to further diversify the market by focusing on the Middle East, Perfect Business Solutions Services (Pvt) Ltd (PBSS) will strengthen its presence in strategic locations in the region. "The consumer market of the country which is growing at a rapid pace and introducing innovative products and services at regular intervals has expanded the base further, PBSS Managing Director, Madura Gamanayake told Sunday Observer Business. more..

Oct 28 (NS) In a dramatic turn of events concerning leading five-star hotels located in the city and immediate adjacent areas, the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) which conducted raids had uncovered that several food handlers have contracted infectious diseases like Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV, Chief Medical Officer of the Colombo Municipality, Dr Pradeep Kariyawasam said. Hence, the CMC has now made it mandatory that more..

Oct 28 (SO) Minister Dilan Perera said Attorney-General Palitha Fernando will visit Saudi Arabia soon to meet Saudi Arabian authorities to see what more can be done to obtain a pardon for Rizana Nafeek. �When President Rajapaksa visited Kuwait for an international conference recently, he spoke to the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. After I took over this Ministry, we not only met Saudi officials, but also sent Rizana�s more..

Oct 28 (NS) Former Foreign Minister, Rohitha Bogollagama said the Govt should not fear international criticism over the issue of the 13th Amendment but should have an alternative if it wanted to scrap it. Bogollagama pointed out that whatever solution the govt had the 13th Amendment should be placed before the people for approval. He said if the govt was of the view that the 13th Amendment did not more..

Oct 28 (Island) An exchange between Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and Minister Susil Premajayanth in Parliament on Thursday elicited the information that Sri Lanka�s will have to incur an added expenditure of around USD 2 billion on oil imports leading to speculation on fuel prices moving up. The minister explained that delays in receiving crude oil for refining locally was the result of global disruption more..

Oct 28 (Island) Despite incurring an expenditure of more than one million rupees on advertising the sale of Golden Key (GK) assets, the properties were ultimately not disposed of and the whole process appears to have now come to a virtual standstill, a key member of the GK depositors� association said last week. "The depleted GK depositors� fund had to take a battering as it more..

Oct 28 (SBS) As more asylum-seeker boats arrive in Australian waters, another three groups of Sri Lankans have returned home. Eight more Sri Lankan men have opted to return home from Christmas Island as more asylum seekers are being transferred to the island after being plucked from boats. The eight men flew back to Colombo on Saturday, taking to 29 the number of Sri Lankans who have returned since Friday, more..

Oct 28 (LB) Parents of two premier schools in Colombo, Royal College and Thurstan College met in a crisis resolution meeting late last week and resolved to work together to bring harmony between the two schools. �We are now optimistic that the issue has been settled, once and for all,� said a parent who attended the meeting. �Royal and Thurstan played an Under 13 cricket match on Friday and we hope the matter is settled,� more..

Oct 28 (LB) Minister Dinesh Gunawardena last week denied reports that the government was mooting a legislation to levy a tax on wells. However, president, Sri Lanka Soba Group (SLSG) and People�s Movement for Water Rights, Tilak Kariyawasam said that when the Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva is silent, the Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, making certain statements in Parliament is not surprising. more..

Oct 28 (AT) Sri Lanka Navy to begin on 31st of this month, the salvaging operation of the underwater wreckage of Lionair flight, that was found near the Iranativu island, north of Mannar. The Navy Spokesman Comm. Kosala Warnakulasuriya said that the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) officials investigating the plane crash, have requested Sri Lanka Navy to salvage the underwater wreckage of the Lionair flight. more..

Oct 28 (DM) Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that the Sri Lankan government is looking at seeking legal mean of stopping existing illegal operation of the LTTE rump, operating from the overseas. �Most of the hierarchy of the LTTE were killed at the final stages only a few low rung cadres have managed to escape and are now engaged in false propaganda operations in order to collect funds from the Diaspora. more..

Oct 28 (ST) The Indian Govt�s plans to expand its nuclear energy programme by establishing 48 new reactors throughout the sub-continent, more than double of what it has, is already causing ripples within that country. It will also be cause for concern for Sri Lanka whose population is less than 160 kms from India�s southern-most plant at Kudankulam and not too far away from the Kalpakkam plant. For reasons best known to the Sri Lankan Govt, more..

Oct 28 (ST) �Thaaththa,� Bindu asked, �what is all this fuss about the Constitution?� �Some people,� Bindu�s father Percy explained, �want the 13th amendment to the Constitution removed.� �Why do they want to do that, thaaththa?� Bindu wanted to know. �They seem to think that it doesn�t serve any purpose,� Percy said. �Who says so?� Bindu asked. �Why, Gotabaya maama was the first to suggest that,� Percy recalled. �And why does he think that we don�t need the 13th amendment anymore?� more..

Oct 28 (ST) New pavements, new roundabouts, restoration of old buildings; Colombo city is undergoing a metamorphosis and is the centre of a beautification programme. But look to the north of the city, it�s starved of development. Although the north of the country was liberated after a three decade-long conflict, certain areas of Colombo north are still in the grips of poverty and squalor. Neglected by govt and more..

Oct 28 (ST) The Prague Zoo, in the Czech Republic, has sent Sri Lanka six animals � a pair of Przewalski horses, a pair of river hippopotamuses, and a pair of Komodo dragons. They come in exchange for a pair of elephants from the Pinnawala animal orphanage. The two elephants � Janitha, eight years, and Amara, seven � were flown to the Czech Republic in a Sri Lanka military aircraft. The flight took 20 hours. The same aircraft brought the other six animals to Sri Lanka. They arrived at the Dehiwala Zoo more..

Oct 28 (ST) The govt has launched a conspiracy to remove the Chief Justice says JVP MP Anura Dissanayake. Speaking at a farmers� seminar held at Thambuththegama Mr. Dissanayake says a conspiracy to remove the Chief Justice is being hatched as several judgments given by the Supreme Court had not been favourable to the govt. The govt is attempting to either win the Chief Justice over by threatening and pressurizing her or push more..

Oct 28 (ST) The Commission to Investigate Bribery or Corruption has been forced to cope with a new vice in the Police � officers and men seeking sexual favours instead of simply demanding bribes alone. One of the latest detections comes from Pulasthigama in the Polonnaruwa District. When a 23-year-old woman was assaulted by her husband, she thought the Police would give her redress. She walked into the Minor more..

Oct 28 (SL) The Fisheries Corporation�s failure to purchase fish from the local market for the canning process has irked fishermen in Galle. The fishermen accused the Fisheries Corporation for importing �Round Scad� which is locally known as �linna paraw� from China when ample stocks of this fish variety are available in the local market. �Had they purchase this from us not only can we improve our living standards but also the country could save more..

Oct 28 (SL) Closed Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV) will be installed in all the museums around the country, Director General of Archaeology Dr Senarath Dissanayake said. He said that the CCTV cameras will be installed in 32 museums with some of them already having police security. The move comes after the Colombo national museum was broken into and he said that security in all the museums will be strengthened by next year. He said CCTV cameras will be installed at museums more..

Oct 28 (ST) World attention will be on Sri Lanka again on Nov 1. The UNHRC in Geneva will review the country�s record during a three and half hour session beginning 2.30 p.m. Like for all other 193 member countries of the UN, the event is routine. Every four or five years, the human rights record of members is reviewed under the Universal Periodic Review, a mechanism which the UN believes improves the situation on the more..

Oct 28 (SL) National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) has utilized the foreign funds received for the projects on prevention of child abuse to repair vehicles, to purchase a photocopy machine and to pay VAT for a land purchase, the interim report of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) says. The Committee has recommended to take legal action against the then Board of Directors for the expenditure incurred in contrary to the Financial Regulations. The report further states that more..

Oct 28 (NS) As a road accident claimed yet another life that of 16-year-old schoolgirl Kiyaldeen Fathima Hafza run over by the very private bus she alighted from outside her school in Katugastota, Kandy Friday bringing this year�s road fatalities to a staggering 1496. The Lanka Private Bus Owners� Association (LPBOA) yesterday squarely blamed the inaction of the government to regulate a timetable for buses for this road monster. Observing that today one rupee had become more precious than a more..

Oct 28 (ST) Four constituent parties of the TNA are in favour of registering their alliance as a political party, but a fifth is not in favour. Those in favour are the TELO, the PLOTE, the TULF and the EPRLF. However the ITAK (Federal Party) is opposed to the move. TNA leader R. Sampanthan, a member of the ITAK, said this issue should not be a priority for them at the moment. When TNA members met in Colombo on more..

Oct 28 (PTI) Sri Lanka wants a closer involvement in the monitoring mechanism of Kudankulam nuclear power plant and will step up diplomatic efforts to achieve this, a media report said today. Earlier this month, India and Sri Lanka discussed issues related to nuclear safety at Kudankulam after concerns were raised here over the risks faced by the island from the project. "More diplomatic efforts will be made soon to enable Sri Lanka to get more more..

Oct 28 (Reuters) Two men were under arrest in New York for allegedly carrying hundreds of fraudulent ATM cards and $55,000 in cash, New York police said on Saturday. A police officer noticed the two men in a bank lobby on Friday night stuffing cash into backpacks and followed them to another lobby where they repeated the process, police said. Placed under arrest were Sivarubem Gnanapandithan, 28, and Ragavan more..